DE Everson Griffen says Vikings have to make Nick Foles beat them

Every week, defenses go into a game with a plan to make what they feel is the weakest link in the offense they are playing against. Even before the Eagles lost Carson Wentz, they were a running team. Their rushing attack finished third in the NFL in the regular season, averaging 132.5 yards on the ground per game.

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Without Wentz under center, the team still runs the ball, but defenses are selling out a bit more to stop the run. That’s the approach that defensive tackle Everson Griffen is taking as the Vikings get ready to travel to Philadelphia.

“They have a good offense, a good running game. We have to go in and stop the running game to make them one-dimensional,” Griffen told reporters on Wednesday. “We’ve got to make Nick Foles win the game. Affect him and give the ball back to our offense as much as possible so they can score points.”

The Eagles offensive line has to find a way to keep the pocket clean for Foles. If Doug Pederson can get him into a rhythm as a passer, Foles can deliver the ball to his receivers and tight ends.

Pederson and Foles like to use “on schedule” throws in which the quarterback throws to spots and timing is critical. Putting Foles under duress in the pocket will knock off that timing.

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Griffen has seen Foles do some damage in a comfortable pocket when taking a closer look at game film. Like a true pass rusher, Griffen feels the key is to get pressure on Foles and force him to turn the football over.

“The biggest thing with Nick Foles is you’ve got to get around him. You’ve got to affect him and make him be a little hesitant in the pocket,” Griffen said. “With no pressure, he has a very good passer rating but when he’s getting hit, it comes down a lot. We have to get to him in different ways, but we have to stop the run first to get to him.”

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